Kentucky Derby-winning jockey handed huge fine for whipping his horse

The jockey who rode Sovereignty to victory in the 2025 Derby has been fined a whopping $62,000 after it was ruled he had whipped his horse too many times during the race.

Junior Alvarado was given the news on Friday after an investigation by the Horse Integrity and Safety Authority, who decided he had struck his animal eight times over the course of the two-minute race at Churchill Downs.

There is a six-strike limit applied to the race - a number which already sparks fury from the race's critics - and Alvarado has now been suspended for two upcoming race days at Kentucky on May 29 and 30.

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